{"id":150718,"date":"2025-01-08T19:46:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T14:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=150718"},"modified":"2025-01-08T19:46:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T14:16:03","slug":"preventive-healthcare-in-india","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/preventive-healthcare-in-india","title":{"rendered":"Preventive Healthcare in India"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India faces a dual challenge, rising life expectancy and an earlier disease burden necessitating Preventive healthcare\u00a0 with focus on early detection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>What are Preventive Measures?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventive measures refer to proactive actions taken to avert the onset of diseases, manage risk factors, and maintain overall health. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Primary Prevention:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Avoiding the occurrence of diseases through vaccinations, hygiene, and lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Secondary Prevention:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Early detection and prompt treatment to prevent disease progression.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tertiary Prevention:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Managing chronic diseases to minimize complications and enhance quality of life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-150672\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/81-677e7c4e80c1d.webp\" alt=\"Preventive Healthcare in India\" width=\"799\" height=\"309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/81-677e7c4e80c1d.webp 1182w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/81-677e7c4e80c1d-300x116.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/81-677e7c4e80c1d-1024x396.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/81-677e7c4e80c1d-768x297.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Need for Preventive Measures in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rising Elderly Population: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With increasing life expectancy, India\u2019s elderly population is projected to reach <\/span><b>320 million by 2050. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This group faces a<\/span><b> high prevalence of NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and cancers.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Malnutrition in Children: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Childhood stunting remains a concern, with <\/span><b>35.5% of children under five stunted (NFHS-5).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Malnutrition impacts cognitive development and increases susceptibility to infections.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Immunization and nutritional programs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are vital to protect children from preventable diseases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deficiency among Women:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Anemia affects 57% of women aged 15-49, with nutritional deficiencies being a significant contributor. Additionally, breast and cervical cancers are on the rise, often diagnosed late.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Targeted health check-ups, nutritional supplementation, and cancer screenings can address these challenges effectively.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2016 India reported 63% of total deaths due to NCDs, of which 27% were attributed to CVDs. CVDs also account for 45% of deaths in the 40-69 year age group.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Risk factors include hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventive measures such as regular screenings, lifestyle changes, and public awareness campaigns are critical.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>High Communicable Diseases Burden:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Despite progress, diseases like<\/span><b> tuberculosis (TB)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><b> malaria<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remain endemic.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India recorded 1.6 million TB cases in 2022, with multidrug-resistant TB posing additional challenges. Necessiting improved diagnostics, vaccinations, and hygiene promotion are essential.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rising Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prevalence of risk factors for NCDs is worryingly high. <\/span><b>One in four adult men are hypertensive. One in eight are diabetic.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early diagnosis and lifestyle interventions can mitigate the growing NCD burden.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic Burden of Disease in India: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rising healthcare expenses and productivity losses threaten financial stability, especially for middle and lower-income families.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per <\/span><b>National Health Accounts Estimates 2021-22<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a percentage of <\/span><b>Total Health Expenditure (THE) is 39.4%.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union Budget 2024 allocated \u20b987,657 crore to healthcare, a 13% increase but insufficient for India\u2019s challenges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>WHO predicts NCD costs in India <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to exceed<\/span><b> \u20b9280 lakh crore by 2030<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, equivalent to \u20b92 lakh per household.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6976%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) refers to the direct payments made by households when accessing healthcare services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It excludes those covered by public or private insurance or social protection schemes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Preventive Measures<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To address the health challenges, India must implement comprehensive preventive strategies:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regular Health Check-Ups: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early detection through periodic screenings for diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and other conditions is crucial.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tailored screening protocols for high-risk groups, such as women (mammograms, pap smears) and elderly individuals, can enhance outcomes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Filling the Hunger Gap<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Strengthening nutrition programs, such as the<\/span><b> Mid-Day Meal Scheme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can combat malnutrition.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Including nutrient-dense foods like fortified cereals and edible oils in public distribution systems (PDS) can further improve dietary intake.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medical Interventions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scaling up vaccination programs for diseases like hepatitis, cervical cancer, and influenza.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting routine deworming, particularly for children in high-risk areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Healthcare Facilities for All:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expanding the Ayushman Bharat initiative to ensure universal healthcare access. Establishing<\/span><b> telemedicine platforms to improve accessibility in remote regions.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public Awareness Campaigns:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Disseminating information on healthy lifestyles, hygiene, and the importance of preventive care.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engaging<\/span><b> community health workers <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to promote awareness at the grassroots level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Government Initiatives to Improve Healthcare in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Universal Health Coverage through National Health Mission (NHM): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Central Government supports states in providing accessible and affordable healthcare, focusing on underserved and marginalized groups in rural areas.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efforts include strengthening health infrastructure, ensuring adequate human resources, and improving healthcare accessibility and quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Mission-Mode Healthcare Projects:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM):<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develops capacities in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthens existing national institutions and establishes new ones to address emerging diseases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a<\/span><b> Centrally Sponsored Scheme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with an outlay of \u20b964,180 crore.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs (AAMs): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deliver comprehensive primary healthcare, including preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative services for all health issues, free and closer to communities.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,75,418 AAMs operationalized by converting<\/span><b> Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>Primary Health Centres (PHCs).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">): Provides health cover of <\/span><b>\u20b95 lakh per family annually<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for secondary and tertiary care to 55 crore beneficiaries (12.37 crore families).<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently extended to cover <\/span><b>all senior citizens aged 70 and above<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, irrespective of income.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>\u00a0Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>National Free Drugs Service Initiative:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ensures availability of essential drugs at public health facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Free Diagnostic Services:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Provides essential diagnostic services to patients at public facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offers quality generic medicines at affordable prices in collaboration with state governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>AMRIT Pharmacies:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Set up in select hospitals to provide affordable medicines and implants.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Challenges in Preventive Healthcare in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gaps in Primary Healthcare Infrastructure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite government initiatives like<\/span><b> Ayushman Bharat, primary healthcare centers (PHCs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> face issues such as <\/span><b>understaffing, lack of medical equipment, and inadequate facilities, particularly in rural areas.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per the<\/span><b> Rural Health Statistics 2022-23,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 8% of PHCs are without doctors, and 39% lack lab technicians, impeding service delivery.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lack of Awareness About Preventive Health Measures: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A significant portion of the population remains unaware of the importance of preventive healthcare, such as <\/span><b>regular screenings, vaccinations, and hygiene practices.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a 2023 survey by the<\/span><b> National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, only 45% of women were aware of<\/span><b> cervical cancer screenings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, indicating a need for widespread education campaigns.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hesitancy Towards Diagnosis and Immunization: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultural stigmas and fear of diagnosis deter individuals from undergoing screenings for conditions like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite immunization drives, vaccine hesitancy persists, with NFHS-5 reporting 6% of children under five still not fully immunized in 2022.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Negligence or Lack of Proper Implementation at the Primary Level: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Policies like the<\/span><b> Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">often suffer from irregular implementation, impacting their effectiveness in addressing malnutrition and promoting health education.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reports from the NITI Aayog (2022) highlighted<\/span><b> irregularities in fund utilization and gaps in food quality across several states.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lack of Monitoring and Evaluation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insufficient monitoring of healthcare programs leads to inefficiencies and limited accountability at the ground level.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2021 report by the<\/span><b> Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pointed out<\/span><b> lapses in monitoring and data collection under the National Health Mission,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> affecting service delivery outcomes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> High OOPE<\/span><b> discourages regular health check-ups and preventive interventions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly among economically weaker sections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inadequate Focus on Mental Health in Preventive Care: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health issues remain largely ignored in preventive strategies, despite the increasing <\/span><b>prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>National Mental Health Survey (2015-16)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that 10.6% of adults suffer from mental health disorders, with minimal access to early intervention.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Resistance to Change in Lifestyle Habits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Many individuals remain reluctant to adopt healthier lifestyles, such as increased physical activity and reduced consumption of unhealthy foods.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Global Nutrition Report (2022)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stated that <\/span><b>25% of India\u2019s adult population is obese or overweight<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a growing concern linked to lifestyle choices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dietary Gaps in Marginalized Communities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tribal and marginalized groups often rely on calorie-dense but nutrient-poor diets, leading to both undernutrition and hidden hunger.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2022 reported that<\/span><b> 74% of India&#8217;s rural population cannot afford a healthy diet, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exacerbating malnutrition issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Urban-Rural Divide in Healthcare Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urban areas have better access to healthcare facilities, leaving rural populations underserved.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to NITI Aayog (2021), <\/span><b>60% of rural households need to travel over 5 km to access basic healthcare services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, resulting in <\/span><b>delayed diagnosis and treatment.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Way Forward for Preventive Healthcare in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthen Early Intervention through Technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Expand capabilities at Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres by integrating AI-enabled imaging for cost-effective, large-scale screenings and leveraging data to implement targeted, risk-driven interventions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Subsidize Screenings via Public-Private Partnerships<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Encourage private health providers and insurers to offer subsidized screening packages for individuals aged 40-60. Utilize funds from healthcare cess or the proposed higher GST slab on tobacco and sugar products to offset costs and support preventive initiatives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increase Tax Incentives for Preventive Health Checks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Revise the tax deduction limit under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act from \u20b95,000 to \u20b915,000 to account for healthcare inflation, encouraging individuals to undergo regular comprehensive health screenings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promote Public Awareness and Accessibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Launch widespread campaigns to highlight the importance of regular screenings and preventive measures, making preventive healthcare more accessible and affordable for all income groups<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Subsidized Preventive Services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Introduce affordable health screenings and checks similar to <\/span><b>Singapore&#8217;s CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ensuring preventive care is accessible to economically weaker sections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expand Insurance for Preventive Care<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Include <\/span><b>preventive services in health insurance coverage, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as seen in<\/span><b> Germany<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where mandatory screenings are a part of universal healthcare.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prioritizing preventive healthcare in India is crucial to mitigate the rising burden of diseases and associated economic costs. 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